In 2007, the Cardiff Botanical Society funded and commissioned a bronze sculpture of a surfer to be located near the ocean in Cardiff by the Sea in north San Diego County. The piece by Mathew Antichevich of Hemet is called “Magic Carpet Ride”. As soon as the Cardiff Botanical Society proudly unveiled the sculpture, they were faced with a negative reaction and heavy criticism from local surfers and residents. The distaste for the sculpture was widespread with most feeling that the sculpture does not adequately represent surfers and the rich history of surfing.

The public criticized the feminine body type and awkward pose which they didn’t think it represented the grace, strength, and endurance that surfing requires. They also criticized the artist for not using a local surfer as his model. In playful retaliation, locals began playing late night pranks on the statue, dressing it in bikinis, dresses, and other adornments. They nicknamed the sculpture the “Cardiff Kook”. Kook being a less than flattering surf jargon name for a beginner surfer. hotel comparison The anger and criticism was significant for some time.

But what has happened over the course of several years is that the sculpture has actually become a focal point for whimsy and delight. Locals express themselves by adorning the sculpture for every occasion. An elf suit for Christmas, a wedding dress for the royal wedding, in pink for breast cancer find a cure, and a pumpkin head for Halloween, to name just a few.

Probably the most heralded spoof was when a giant paper mache shark appeared to rise up to swallow the surfer. Pictures of the giant shark made national news publications and attracted hundreds of visitors each day it was left up for viewing. I’m sure Mr. Antichevich and the Cardiff Botanical Society hoped that his work would delight and inspire in other ways. But the art piece has had a significant positive impact on the sense of community in this coastal town. It delights people far more as the Cardiff Kook than it ever could as “Magic Carpet Ride”.

I would say that in this case bad art is actually a good thing…a very good thing.

Long live the Cardiff Kook!